Preserving your Halloween candy

Kids around the country are getting their costumes ready to go trick-or-treating Friday night -- which means they'll be sorting through pounds of candy over the weekend. Keep your Halloween treats alive long after the ghouls and goblins have been laid to rest with these tips from the National Confectioners Association:

Caramel

Should be kept covered, away from heat and light at room temperature. Stored properly, caramel should last six to nine months, or even up to 12 months in some cases.

Gum

As long as the packaging remains sealed, most gum has a shelf life of six to nine months. To maximize freshness, keep chewing gum packages in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight.

Jellied candies

If opened, soft candies like gummy bears should be kept in a covered candy dish, away from heat and light at room temperature. If unopened, such sweets will last approximately 12 months.

Candy corn

If opened, candy corn should be stored under the same conditions as soft candies and will last approximately three to six months. If unopened, candy corn will last about nine months.

Hard candy

Hard candies can last up to a year when stored at room temperature or in a cool, dry location.

Chocolate

Dark chocolate can be kept for up to two years if wrapped in foil and stored in a cool, dark, dry place. Milk and white chocolate have a more limited storage time -- no more than eight to 10 months.

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